Oldham will be alive with the sound of music

Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, Oldham Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

The skies across Oldham will be filled with the sound of children’s voices when schools across Greater Manchester unite in song for a celebration of singing.

The event, named ‘The GM Singing Challenge’, is an annual initiative which aims to see young pupils across the whole of Greater Manchester singing the same song at the same time.

This year, it’s more important than ever and the Oldham Music Service have been working hard with schools to organise the borough-wide sing-along to help ‘bounce back’ and provide pupils with the chance to sing with their friends again.

The song chosen for the annual singing challenge is “We are the Young” (composed by Mary Donnelly) and was specially selected by members of the GMMEH Vocal Vision Group.

The aim of the song is to celebrate young people, the important role they play in our society and the duty we all have as adults to nurture them. 

Councillor Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “After a year of restrictions on singing due to Covid-19, it will be fantastic to hear children singing together outdoors and experiencing the joy of singing.

“Events like these are so important as it helps young people develop social interaction skills and have fun in the process.

“Everyone has had a tough year, including Oldham’s young people, and I’m glad they are able to take part in something as collective.

“There will still be Covid-19 restrictions in place with pupils singing outside – but we’re not letting that stop the music.

“I encourage all schools who haven’t signed up to join in and have fun.”

Residents can watch a live stream of a class of pupils singing at St Agnes School from 2.15pm on Thursday (June 24) on Oldham Council’s I Love Oldham Facebook page.

If your school is taking part, use #WeAreTheYoung to share your photos and follow @OldhamMusic for updates throughout the day.

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